Screen for internal-combustion engines



May 14, 1929. T. 1.. HIBBARD 1,713,337

SCREEN FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Nov. 15, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 y 1929. T. L.- HIBBARD- 1,713,337

SCREEN FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES 1 Filed Nov. 15, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 e E E 1 193. 9 I a a Q May 14, 1929. T. L. HIBBARD SCREEN FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES- Filed Nov. 15, 1927 4 Shegts-Sheet 3 9/// 7///////// 7// /Z I 9m May-14, 19.29. T. 1.. HIBBARD 1,713,337

SCREEN FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Nov. 15, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 x -U QI'T D T T Patented May 14, 1929.

THOMAS IJAI-J'BENCE HIIBBARD,OF NEUILLYsUia-SEIN FRANCE.

. if SCREEN FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

f I a ncati n filed November 15,.1927, Serial $0, 3,424, and in France December23, 192s.

7 Internal combustion engines are generally cooled by means of a water circulation includ- 111g, in the circult of such circulation, a cooling radiator so placed-that'the air strikes,

normally against the actiye surfacesithereof. Ithappens however in practice that, at the times of low temperature in winter or at high .altitutes in aviation, the cooling frequently becomes exaggerated and interferes with the satisfactory working of the engine, ,or prevents starting up and acceleration of speed.

It has already been proposed toplace a screen in front of the radiator, .to shield it wholly or partially from too violent currents of air in winter. The screen, which may be flexible or r1g1d, has been composed of movable elementsoufiaps, which are pivotally mounted and adapted to be manmuvred from a single control. I g I p The object of the present invention is to improve the mechanism for operating these elements or flapsof a screen such as that indicated above.-

By the use of the inventiona mechanism can be producedvin a very simple manner,

suitable for the various forms of radiators peculiar to different makers.

The invention consistsessentially in forming one of the pivots of each flap as, a device furnished with one or more helicoidal grooves, withwhich grooves are adapted to mesh pins lntegral with an operating bar.

a This bar is movable in the direction of the axes of. rotation of the flaps. Preferably, a singlebar is utilized for the whole of the flaps, but insomecases the bar may be divided into sections and independent multiple con 1 trols provided.

It will of-course be obvious that the reverse arrangement may be employed without departing' from the, principle of the invention, that is .to say, the pivotal members ofthe flaps :may carry the pin or pins, and the manoeuand the direction of the axes thereof I may be suitable, without any alterationinthe operating mechanism. i The said operating mechanism may be lo cated either at thefbottom or top of thera diator and it may be actuated even from the interior'of the vehicle, for instance a flex ible or rigid transmission mechanism. Various constructional embodiments of the said invention are shown, by way ofexample, in the accompanying drawings, in which Figs. 1 and 2 are diagrammatic views, showing two constructions of radiators, with the multiple flaps closed, that is to-say forming an. entire closed screen. I p Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are sectional plans showing the said flaps half open, that is to say turned.

through45".

' Fig. 6 isan elevation, partly in section, of a first constructional embodiment of .theoperating mechanism in a very simple 'for1n, the;

flaps being in the completely closed position 7 for intercepting the air current.

Fig. 7 is a similar view, showing onlyia portion ofthe mechanism with parts in section, the flaps being in the'position of maxi mum opening for cooling the water circulay tion. I, i

Fig. 8 iswa detail, to a larger: scale, corresponding to the lower left hand cornerof Fig.7. v

Fig. 9 is a sectional plan on 9-9, of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a transverse'section. on 10 10,

Fig.11 illustrates a second constructional embodiment of the mechanism' enclosed in a tight. casing. v i

. Fig. 12 is a transverse section on 12%12,Q

Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a similar section on '13-- 13, Fig. 11. I v Fig. 14 is another scctionalplan on 1414 I Fig. 11. l w I Figs. 15 and 16 illustrate constructional modifications of the pivots provided with helicoidal grooves. I o Figs. 17 and 18 are constructional modifications of the axles showing means co-operating with the controlling grooves.

Fig. ,19 is a part sectionalpeleyation of an}, other constructional modification in which the flaps have their axes of rotation towards one of the sides.

The apparatus comprises a rigid frame A-B-.CD, which may be in rigid connection with or independent ofthe radiator proper. The transverse member B constitutes the bearing for the upper pivots of the rotary flaps E.

In the construction according to the invention, the transverse member D simply forms the seating for the lower pivots F, the bearings for which are in a transverse bar G.

This bar Gcarries at. each end a sliding guide 9 adapted to slide in the vertical uprights A and C of the frame, part of which is constituted by tubes. These guides might be constituted by tubes on the outside of hollow or solid standards;

The bar Gr also carries pins h, engaging in helicoidal grooves on the pivots F of the flaps.

An operating device I is provided including levers, cams, flexible cables or the like, allowing for the raising upwards of the bar Gr, the said bar being constantly impelled in thedownward direct-ion by return springs J.

lVhen the bar G is moved upwards, for instance by means of an appropriate single operating device, which may be united to two 1 elements I, the pins 72, integral with the bar,

slide in'the grooves f in the pivots F, and communicate to these latter a motion of rotation corresponding to the height to which the bar is moved. Conversely, when the lift ing mechanisms are brought back to their initial position, the springs J lower the bar G and cause an opposite rotation of the flaps E. o

It is to be observed that the return springs J might be omitted, and the mechanism I might be connected tothe bar G by means of connecting links.

Figs. 11 to 14 show similar elements, but of different shapeand suitable for arrangement in a casing K which replaces the lower member 13 of the framework of the apparatus, and is adapted to protect the reciprocating mechanism from the dust. V

The operating bar G in place of being shaped as previously, has a middle reinforcing rib h which acts as a single engaging pin or element h or a double pin or element [L (as seen clearly at Fig. 14), engaging in a helicoidal groove 7 in the pivots F. V

The elements on which the pivots are seated may be constituted by washers m coming at the base of the flaps E and forming cover plates on the joint with the casing.

The operation of the bar G is in this instance effected by .means of a flexible transmission mechanism, the cable a being fixed to'the upper portion of the casing and passing through the said bar G. The sheath 0 raises the latter by means of a washer which covers the opening is in the casing.

The closure may in some cases be completed by a stopper 1?, Fig. 11.

top, bottom or sides of the radiator.

As will be seen at Figs. 15 to 18, the axles of the flaps may be of any suitable shape including means for transforming, by means of helicoidal grooves or other inclined surfaces, the rectilinear movement of reciprocation of the operating bar into a rotary movement of theflaps. These latter may be adapted to be rotated about their geometrical axes, or in some cases aboutone of their sides, asindicated at Fig. 19.

lVhat I claim. and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States of America is 1. In screens of the type described for the radiators of internal combustion engines, a construction including a framework, flaps carried by spindles mounted in the said framework, a bar provided with perforations through which the said spindles pass, means for reciprocating the said bar in the direction of the axes of the said spindles, helicoidal grooves on the said spindles and pins carried by the said bar and meshing in the said grooves for causing the spindles to turn and to open or close the flaps as the bar is reciprocated, for the purposes set forth.

2. In screens of the type described for the radiators of internal combustion engines, a construction including a framework, flaps carried by tubular spindles mounted in said framework, a bar adapted to reciprocate in the direction of said tubular spindles, heli coidal slotsin said tubular spindles and a middle reinforcing rib carried by said bar and engaging said slots for causing thespindles to turn as the bar is reciprocated.

3. In screens of the type described for the radiators of internal combustion engines, a construction including a framework, flaps carried by spindles mounted in the said framework, a easing into which the spindles pass at one end, a bar adapted to reciprocate in the direction of the axes of the said spindles being adapted to bear on the under side of.

said bar through the medium of a washer, and co-operating hehcoidal means between said bar and the spindles of the flaps for causing the latter to turn as the bar is recipro-j cated. V

In witness whereof I aflix my signature.

THOMAS LAURENCE nine-Ann. 

